A. D. 1782. 707- 



1 7S2 — The city and Fortrefs of Ncgapatnam, belonging to the Dutch on 

 the coafts of the Carnatic in tlie foutli part of Hindoo flan *, were taken by 

 Sir Edu-ard Hughes and Sir Hedlor Munro (12"* November 17B1) : and 

 this conquefl: was immediately followed by the retreat of Hyder's troops 

 from the neighbouring country, belonging to the company and their 

 ailies. From Negapatnnm Sir Edward proceeded to the coaft of Ceylon, 

 where he alfo took the Dutch fettlements and forts at Trincomalee (Jan- 

 uary 1 1 "'). Two buttles were fought in the early part of this year by the 

 Britifh and French fleets in the Indian fc.is, which both termin:ited to 

 the advantage of the Britilh, as did alfo moft of the many battles on the 

 main land with Hyder Ally : and there were feveral viciflltuJts of fuc- 

 cefs and defeat in the enfuing part of the feafon, none of which w.-rc of 

 Inch importance as to merit particular notice in commercial hiftory. 

 But in the profecntion of thofe hoftilities the provinces, which were the 

 theatre of the war, were ruined by pillage and extortion ; the agricul- 

 ture, the manufadures, and commerce, of the country were almoii an- 

 nihilated f : and the whole conduct of the war, with refped to the un- 

 happy natives, was equally repugnant to the principles of lound policy 

 and to the commercial intcrefts of the Eaft-India company. 



The Dutch Eaft-India company, who were for a longtime rhegrcateO: 

 and mofl powerful mercantile aflbciation that had ever appeared in th.- 

 world, had hitherto continued tolerably profperous, notwithflandmg the 

 general decline of the tafte for fpices in Europe, and the relaxation of 

 economy and condud in their fervants in India. But their recent mis- 

 fortunes in India gave fuch a check to their commercial profperity, 

 that they mufl have been brought to the verge of ruin, if the States- 

 general had not given them the mofl liberal fupport by loans to a very 

 large amount. 



In the weftern hemifphere a continued feries of misfortunes attended* 

 tiie pofledlons of Great Britain in the beginning of this year. The mar- 

 quis de Bouille and the conue de Grain: took the fmall, but fertile, ill.md' 

 of Nevis (January 14""); after which they attacked the larger and more 

 valuable neighbouring ill.ind of S'. Chriflophers, which, after a'g.iUant re- 

 fiflance, was alio obliged to lurrender (February 13") ; and the irtand of 

 Montferrat fhared the fame fate. The French comniand<}rs-gr:;»ited thofc 

 in:inds the moft liberal terms, wliereby their projK'riies, their religious- 

 and civil liberties, aiid, in a great mcafure, even their forms of gcu'ern- 

 ment, were preferved to the inhabitants. In the meantime a French ■ 



• I am aware that the ffrcat extent oi coaatrj large .icceputio.':, ii is genera'lj, Lut improperly, . 



foulh uf the River N^rbii Jja ii not properly aii)' cxU'iiJcd to. 



part of Hinduodaii } and iliat the prop.-r jjfiicr.d f 'I'htfc mifcr!!.} wcte foUuMc " 



latnc oX the w'nulc peiiiiifula (if a nuifs of land, fu drcjdfai famine, whcrcbr 5OC1CC0 



formed, can lie callc 

 jil ai.tlq'iity Z?.-.. j.v. 



part of Hinduodaii } and iliat the prop.-r jjfiicr.d f 'I'htfc mifcr!i.s wcte foUuMcJ br • ' ' 



latnc oX the whulc peiiiiifuIa (if a niafs of land, fu drcjdfai famine, whcrcbr 50c, cco people ati 1 1 



fariiicd, can l>c called a pcuiiilula) lias been fru.n to have perilhcd in lii.- Iciiilu{ict ul the s.>n.^.. 



" Bill J ufc ;hc ;ia:ne I.i t.'ic JlaI thwic of llyJcr .\!;y. 



X 



4U J 



